Herbicide compositions containing a nitrile derivative as antidote

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a herbicide composition comprising as herbicidally active ingredient an urea derivative and/or a thiolcargamate derivative and/or a chloroacetanilide derivative together with a nitrile derivative of the general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein R 1  and R 2  which are the same or different, stand for hydroger, halogen or a methyl, ethyl, allyl, vinyl, phenyl or benzyl group; or 
     R 1  and R 2  together may stand for a benzylidene group; and 
     R 3  means chlorine or a methyl, phenyl, chlorophenyl, alkoxyphenyl, chlorophenylamino, anilino, anilinomethylene, N-alkylanilinomethylene, N,N-dialkylanilinomethylene, alkoxyanilinomethylene, benzylaminomethylene, cyclohexylaminomethylene, N-alkyl-cyclohexylaminomethylene, hexamethyleniminomethylene, phthalimidomethylene, nitrophthalimidomethylene, morpholinomethylene, piperidinomethylene, C 1-3  alkylaminomethylene, allylaminomethylene or di(C 1-3  alkyl)aminorethylene group 
     and/or together with a cyanopyridine and/or with a benzonitrile derivative optionally mono- or polysubstituted by halogen(s) or C 1-3  alkoxy group(s) as antidote(s) in a mass ratio from 40:1 to 1:1 of the herbicidally active ingredient to the antidote nitrile derivative.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a herbicide composition containing as active ingredient a urea derivative of the formula (II) ##STR2## and/or a thiolcarbamate derivative of the formula (III) ##STR3## and/or a chloroacetanilide derivative of the formula (IV) ##STR4## and as an antidote a nitrile derivative of the formula (I) ##STR5## and/or a cyanopyridine and/or a benzonitrile derivative optionally mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or C₁₋₃ alkoxy diminishing the phytotoxicity of the active ingredient.

In the formula (I)

R₁ and R₂ which are the same or different, stand for hydrogen, halogen or a methyl, ethyl, allyl, vinyl, phenyl or benzyl group; or

R₁ and R₂ together may stand for a benzylidene group; and

R₃ means chlorine or a methyl, phenyl, chlorophenyl, alkoxyphenyl, chlorophenylamino, anilino, anilinomethylene, N-alkylanilinomethylene, N,N-dialkylanilinomethylene, alkoxyanilinomethylene, benzylaminomethylene, cyclohexylaminomethylene, N-alkyl-cyclohexylaminomethylene, hexamethyleniminomethylene, phthalimidomethylene, nitrophthalimidomethylene, morpholinomethylene, piperidinomethylene, C₁₋₃ alkylaminomethylene, allylaminomethylene or di(C₁₋₃ alkyl)aminomethylene group.

In the formula (II)

R₄ and R₅ which are the same or different, stand for a methyl or methoxy group;

R₆ and R₇ which are the same or different, represent hydrogen, halogen, a C₁₋₃ alkyl or a methoxy group.

In the formula (III)

R₈ and R₉ which are the same or different, stand for a C₁₋₄ alkyl group or a cyclohexyl group; or

R₈ and R₉ together may stand for a hexamethylene group;

R₁₀ is an ethyl, propyl, benzyl, chlorobenzyl, 2,3-dichlorobenzyl or a 2,3-dichloroallyl group.

In the formula (IV)

R₁₁ stands for an alkoxyalkyl group containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms; and

R₁₂ and R₁₃ which are the same or different, stand for a methyl or ethyl group.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The urea derivatives of the formula (II), the triolcarbamate derivatives of formula (III) and the chloroacetanilide derivatives of formula (IV) have long been known as herbicidally active agents and are widely used for plant protection.

It is known however that these active agents, when used in an effective dose for the herbicidal action, also exert a damaging action of varying extent on the cultivated plants.

In the fifties, Hoffmann recognized that some compounds such as 1,8-naphthalic acid and its salts are useful for the decrease in the phytotoxicity of these herbicides [see the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,131,509 and 3,702,759].

Since that time, the research into antidote compounds has had an intense development.

As a result of the researches carried out in the Stauffer Chemical Company, a novel type of antidotes, i.e. the N,N-disubstituted dichloroacetamides have been recognized [see the German Pat. (DE-PS) Nos. 2,218,097 and 2,350,800]. Since then, several groups of such compounds have been developed which are useful for diminishing the phytotoxicity, although their activity is different.

The antidote effect of a newer type of compounds, i.e. dicarboxylic acid derivatives (esters and amides) is described in the Hungarian Pat. No. 176,669.

Since the mechanism of action of the phytotoxicity of the above-mentioned herbicide agents is various and contraversial and the effect of the antidotes developed up to now is varying, this research is being continued.

In addition to the esters and amines, among the dicarboxylic acid derivatives as antidotes, the dinitrile derivatives [e.g. phthalic acid dinitrile (phthalonitrile) and terephthalic acid dinitrile (terephthalonitrile)] are also mentioned as substances diminishing phytotoxicity (Hungarian Pat. No. 176,669).

Likewise, the antidote effect of dinitrile derivatives is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,555 and in the Soviet Pat. No. 880,242. The structure of these compounds is rather complicated. Thus, the preparation of them is difficult and expensive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now we have found, in our research aimed at the development of antidotes that the phytotoxicity of the urea derivatives of formula (II), thiolcarbamate derivatives of the formula (III) and chloroacetanilide derivatives of the formula (IV) as herbicide agents can effectively be decreased without influencing their herbicide effects by using the nitrile derivatives of the formula (I) or cyanopyridines or benzonitriles mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or alkoxy.

In the formula (I)

R₁ and R₂ which are the same or different, stand for hydrogen, halogen or a methyl, ethyl, allyl, vinyl, phenyl, or benzyl group; or

R₁ and R₂ together may stand for a benzylidene group; and

R₃ is chlorine or a methyl, phenyl, chlorophenyl, alkoxyphenyl, chlorophenylamino, anilino, anilinomethylene, N-alkylanilinomethylene, N,N-dialkylanilinomethylene, alkoxyanilinomethylene, benzylaminomethylene, cyclohexylaminomethylene, N-alkyl-cyclohexylaminomethylene, hexamethyleniminomethylene, phthalimidomethylene, nitro-phthalimidomethylene, morpholinomethylene, piperidinomethylene, C₁₋₃ alkylaminomethylene, allylaminomethylene or a di(C₁₋₃ alkyl)aminomethylene group.

The most important compounds of the formula (I) together with the substituents as well as the physical characteristics (melting point, refractive index) of these compounds and the cyanopyridines and substituted benzonitriles are summarized in Table 1.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                        Physical characteristics                                     Substituents      m.p.                                        No.                                                                               Compound      R.sub.1                                                                            R.sub.2                                                                            R.sub.3   °C.                                                                          Refractive index                       1  2             3   4   5         6    7                                      __________________________________________________________________________      1 Pivalonitrile methyl                                                                             methyl                                                                             methyl    15   --                                      2 Trichloroacetonitrile                                                                        Cl  Cl  Cl        --   1.440                                   3 4-Ethoxyphenylaceto-                                                                         H   H   4-ethoxy- 39-43                                                                               --                                        nitrile               phenyl                                                 4 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)butyro-                                                                    H   ethyl                                                                              4-ethoxy- --   1.5117                                    nitrile               phenyl                                                 5 2-Phenyl-2-methylpropio-                                                                     methyl                                                                             methyl                                                                             phenyl    --   1.5041                                    nitrile                                                                      6 2-Phenylbutyronitrile                                                                        H   ethyl                                                                              phenyl    --   1.5065                                  7 2-Benzyl-2-phenylbutyro-                                                                     ethyl                                                                              benzyl                                                                             phenyl    --   1.5607                                    nitrile                                                                      8 2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-                                                                        methyl                                                                             methyl                                                                             4-ethoxyphenyl                                                                           56-58                                                                               --                                        methylpropionitrile                                                          9 2,3-Diphenylacrylonitrile                                                                    benzylidene                                                                            phenyl    86-88                                                                               --                                     10 2-Cyanopyridine                                                                              --  --  --        212-215                                                                             --                                     11 3-Cyanopyridine                                                                              --  --  --        50-52                                                                               --                                     12 4-Cyanopyridine                                                                              --  --  --        78-80                                                                               --                                     13 2-Ethyl-2-phenylbutyro-                                                                      ethyl                                                                              ethyl                                                                              phenyl    --   1.5039                                    nitrile                                                                     14 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-ethyl-                                                                  ethyl                                                                              ethyl                                                                              4-chloro- 53-57                                                                               --                                        butyronitrile         phenyl                                                15 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-                                                                        methyl                                                                             methyl                                                                             4-chloro- --   1.5204                                    methylpropionitrile   phenyl                                                16 2-Chlorophenylaceto-                                                                         H   H   2-chloro- --   1.5440                                    nitrile               phenyl                                                17 3-Chlorophenylaceto-                                                                         H   H   3-chloro- --   1.5437                                    nitrile               phenyl                                                18 4-Chlorophenylaceto-                                                                         H   H   4-chloro- 265-267                                                                             --                                        nitrile               phenyl                                                19 Diphenylacetonitrile                                                                         H   phenyl                                                                             phenyl    71-73                                                                               --                                     20 3-Phthalimidopropionitrile                                                                   H   H   phthalimido-                                                                             153-154                                                                             --                                                              methylene                                             21 3-(3-Nitrophthalimido)-                                                                      H   H   3-nitro-  132-134                                                                             --                                        propionitrile         phthalimido-                                                                   methylene                                             22 3-(4-Nitrophthalimido)-                                                                      H   H   4-nitro-  136-138                                                                             --                                        propionitrile         phthalimido-                                                                   methylene                                             23 2-Allyl-2-phenyl-4-pentene-                                                                  allyl                                                                              allyl                                                                              phenyl    --   1.5243                                    nitrile                                                                     24 3-Anilinopropionitrile                                                                       H   H   anilino-  48-49                                                                               --                                                              methylene                                             25 3-Cyclohexylaminopropio-                                                                     H   H   cyclohexyl-                                                                              --   1.4737                                    nitrile               aminomethylene                                        26 3-Benzylaminopropio-                                                                         H   H   benzylamino-                                                                             --   1.5272                                    nitrile               methylene                                             27 3-N--(Ethylcyclohexyl)-                                                                      H   H   N--ethylcyclohexyl-                                                                      --   1.4709                                    aminopropionitrile    aminomethylene                                        28 3-N--(Methylanilino)-                                                                        H   H   N--methylanilino-                                                                        --   1.5591                                    propionitrile         methylene                                             29 3-N--(Ethylanilino)-                                                                         H   H   N--ethylanilino-                                                                         --   1.5528                                    nitrile               methylene                                             30 3-N--(Isopropylanilino)-                                                                     H   H   N--ispropyl-                                                                             --   1.5418                                    propionitrile         anilino-                                                                       methylene                                             31 3-Hexamethylenimino-                                                                         H   H   hexamethylen-                                                                            --   1.4727                                    propionitrile         iminomethylene                                        32 3-Morpholinopropio-                                                                          H   H   morpholino-                                                                              --   1.4698                                    nitrile               methylene                                             33 3-Piperidinopropionitrile                                                                    H   H   piperidinomethylene                                                                      --   1.4690                                 34 3-(4-Methoxyanilino)-                                                                        H   H   4-methoxy-                                                                               62-64                                                                               --                                        propionitrile         anilino-                                                                       methylene                                             35 3-(2,6-Diethylanilino)-                                                                      H   H   2,6-diethyl-                                                                             --   1.5431                                    propionitrile         anilino-                                                                       methylene                                             36 2-Anilinoacetonitrile                                                                        H   H   Anilino   45-47                                                                               --                                     37 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-                                                                          H   H   4-chloro- 92-95                                                                               --                                        aminoacetonitrile     phenylamino                                           38 Phenylacetonitrile                                                                           H   H   phenyl    --   1.5236                                 39 2-Anilinopropionitrile                                                                       H   methyl                                                                             anilino   86-88                                                                               --                                     40 (4-Methoxyphenyl)aceto-                                                                      H   H   4-methoxy-                                                                               --   1.5318                                    nitrile               phenyl                                                41 3-Methylaminopropio-                                                                         H   H   methylamino-                                                                             --   1.4348                                    nitrile               methylene                                             42 3-Diethylaminopropio-                                                                        H   H   diethylamino-                                                                            --   1.4358                                    nitrile               methylene                                             43 3-Phthalimido-2-methylpro-                                                                   H   H   phthalimido-                                                                             94-96                                                                               --                                        pionitrile            methylene                                             44 2-Methyl-3-(4-nitro-                                                                         H   methyl                                                                             4-nitrophthal-                                                                           --   --                                        phthalimido)propionitrile                                                                            imidomethylene                                        45 2-Methyl-3-(3-nitrophthal-                                                                   H   methyl                                                                             3-nitro-phthal-                                                                               --                                        imido)-propionitrile  imidomethylene                                        46 3-Anilino-2-methylpropio-                                                                    H   methyl                                                                             anilinomethylene                                                                              1.4714                                    nitrile                                                                     47 3-Benzylamino-2-methyl-                                                                      H   methyl                                                                             benzylamino-                                                                             --   1.5312                                    propionitrile         methylene                                             48 3-N--Methylanilino-2-                                                                        H   methyl                                                                             N--methyl-                                                                               --   1.5510                                    methylpropionitrile   anilino-                                                                       ethylene                                              49 3-Cyclohexylamino-2-                                                                         H   methyl                                                                             ciklohexyl-                                                                              --   1.4797                                    methylpropionitrile   aminomethylene                                        50 3-N--Ethylanilino-2-                                                                         H   methyl                                                                             N--ethylanilino-                                                                              1.5484                                    methylpropionitrile   methylene                                             51 3-N--Isopropylanilino-                                                                       H   methyl                                                                             N--isopropyl-  1.5392                                    2-methylpropionitrile anilinomethylene                                      52 2-Chlorobenzonitrile                                                                         --  --  --        44-45                                                                               --                                     53 2,4,6-Trimethoxy-                                                                            --  --  --        92-94                                                                               --                                        benzonitrile                                                                54 3-Chlorobenzonitrile                                                                         --  --  --        38-40                                                                               --                                     55 4-Chlorobenzonitrile                                                                         --  --  --        91-93                                                                               --                                     56 3-(2,6-Dimethylanilino)-                                                                     H   H   2,6-dimethyl-                                                                            --   1.4832                                    propionitrile         anilinomethylene                                      57 3-(6-Ethyl-2-methyl-                                                                         H   H   6-ethyl-2-                                                                               --   1.4916                                    anilino)propionitrile methylanilino-                                                                 methylene                                             58 3-(n-Propylamino)-                                                                           H   H   propylamino-                                                                             --   1.4354                                    propionitrile         methylene                                             59 3-Allylaminopropio-                                                                          H   H   allylamino-                                                                              --   1.4547                                    nitrile               methylene                                             __________________________________________________________________________

For the preparation of the nitrile derivatives of the formula (I), several processes are known in the literature.

Pivalonitrile, item No. 1 in Table I, which is the simplest derivative can be prepared by reacting pivalic acid with ammonia under dehydrating conditions [see the German Pat. No. 3,216,382]. However, pivalonitrile (trimethylacetoritrile) can also be prepared by reacting the appropriate olefin, i.e. isobutylene with hydrogen cyanide at an elevated temperature [see the U.S. Pat. No. 2,455,995].

According to K. Rokrig et al., 4-ethoxyphenylacetonitrile is prepared by reacting 4-ethoxybenzyl chloride with sodium cyanide (Org. Synth. Coll. Vol. IV., p. 576).

M. Lora et al. transformed pivalic acid to the acid chloride by using thionyl chloride in the first step, and the acid chloride was then reacted with ammonia to give pivalic acid amide. This amide was reacted with phosphorus pentoxide in a solvent to yield pivalonitrile (Anales Real. Soc. Espan. 48B, p. 414-420).

Among the urea derivatives of the formula (II), the phytotoxicity of which is decreased by the nitrile derivatives of the formula (I), 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (monuron), 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron), 3-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (metoxuron), 3-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (chlortoluron), 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-1-methoxyurea (monoliruror), 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-1-methoxyurea (linuron), 3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-methyl-1-methoxyurea (metobromuron), 3-(4-bromo-3-chloropheryl)-1-methyl-1-methoxyurea (chlorbromuron), 3-[3-(trifluormethyl)phenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea (fluometuron), 1,1-dimethyl-3-phenylurea (fenuron) and 1,1-dimethyl-3-(4-isopropylphenyl)urea (isoproturon) are well known substances.

Among the thiolcarbamate derivatives of the formula (III), for which the nitrile derivatives of the formula (I) are useful antidotes, the following compounds are well known and widely used in the practice: S-ethyl N,N-diisobutylthiolcarbamate (butylate), S-ethyl N,N-di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamate (EPTC), S-ethyl N,N-hexamethylenethiolcarbamate (molinate), S-ethyl N-cyclohexyl-N-ethylthiolcarbamate (cycloate), S-propyl N,N-di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamate (vernolate), S-(2,3-dichloroallyl) N,N-diisopropylthiolcarbamate (diallate), S-(4-chlorobenzyl)-N,N-diethylthiolcarbamate (thiobencarb) and S-benzyl N,N-di(secundary-butyl)thiolcarbamate.

Among the chloroacetanilide derivatives of the formula (IV), the phytotoxicity of which is diminished by the nitrile derivatives of the formula (I), the most known substances are as follows:

2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N(methoxymethyl)acetanilide (alachlor),

2-chloro-2'-ethyl-6'-methyl-N-(ethoxymethyl)acetanilide (acetochlor),

2-chloro-2'-ethyl-6'-methyl-N-(1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl)acetanilide (metolachlor) and

2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(butoxymethyl)acetanilide (butachlor).

As clearly seen from Table I, the nitrile derivatives of the formula (I) are partly solids and partly liquids.

The solid nitrile derivatives can be formulated e.g. to wettable powders (WP) by using the common additives of plant protective compositions (carriers, surface active agents), which may be applied together with herbicide compositions of a similar formulation in the form of tank mixtures.

Both the liquid and solid nitrile derivatives can be formulated e.g. to stable emulsifiable concentrates by selecting a suitable solvent and emulsifying agent which may be mixed with herbicide emulsifiable concentrates and may be applied in the form of tank mixtures.

The nitrile derivatives may also be formulated together with the urea derivatives and/or thiolcarbamate derivatives and/or chloroacetanilide derivatives.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES

The formulations containing the nitrile derivatives alone as well as the compositions formulated together with herbicide agents are illustrated in detail in the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing 2,3-diphenylacrylonitrile (compound No. 9) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                           % by mass                                                    ______________________________________                                         2,3-Diphenylacrylonitrile                                                                          10                                                         Atlox 4857B emulsifying agent                                                                      10                                                         Xylene              80                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing trichloroacetonitrile (compound No. 2) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                         % by mass                                                      ______________________________________                                         Trichloroacetonitrile                                                                            20                                                           Emulsogen IP 400  10                                                           Xylene            70                                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing 2-benzyl-2-phenylbutyronitrile (compound No. 7) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                           % by mass                                                    ______________________________________                                         2-Benzyl-2-phenylbutyronitrile                                                                     30                                                         Atlox 4857B emulsifying agent                                                                      10                                                         Xylene              60                                                         ______________________________________                                    

Emulsifiable concentrates with a similar composition may be prepared by using 4-chlorophenylacetonitrile (compound No. 18), 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpropionitrile (compound No. 15), or 2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)butyronitrile (compound No. 4) as antidotes.

EXAMPLE 4 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing pivaloritrile (compound No. 1) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         Pivalonitrile         50                                                       Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   10                                                       Xylene                40                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing 2-cyanopyridine (compound No. 10) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         2-Cyanopyridine       50                                                       Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   10                                                       Xylene                40                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6 Composition of a wettable powder containing 2-methyl-2-phenylpropionitrile (compound No. 5) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         2-Methyl-2-phenylpropionitrile                                                                       20                                                       Arkopon T              5                                                       Dispergiermittel SI dispersing agent                                                                  5                                                       Zeolit 424 carrier    70                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7 Composition of a wettable powder containing (4-ethoxyphenyl)acetonitrile (compound No. 3) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         (4-Ethoxyphenyl)acetonitrile                                                                         40                                                       Arkopon T              5                                                       Dispergiermittel SI dispersing agent                                                                  5                                                       Zeolit 424 carrier    50                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8 Composition of a wettable powder containing 3-cyanopyridine (compound No. 11) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         3-Cyanopyridine       70                                                       Arkopon T              5                                                       Dispergiermittel SI dispersing agent                                                                  5                                                       Zeolex 424 carrier    20                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9 Composition of a water-soluble concentrate (WSC) containing pivalonitrile (compound No. 1) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         Pivalonitrile         90                                                       Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   10                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing 4-cyanopyridine (compound No. 12) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                           % by mass                                                    ______________________________________                                         4-Cyanopyridine     10                                                         Atlox 4857B emulsifying agent                                                                      10                                                         Chlorobenzene       80                                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 11 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing 2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropionitrile (compound No. 8) as antidote

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropionitrile                                                               40                                                     Atlox 4857B emulsifying agent                                                                          15                                                     Xylene                  45                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The nitrile derivatives of the formula (I) can be well formulated together with the urea derivatives of the formula (II) and/or the thiolcarbamate derivatives of the formula (III) and/or with chloroacetanilide derivatives of the formula (IV) as illustrated in the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 12 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         N--(3,4-Dichlorphenyl)-N'--methyl-N'--                                                                 50                                                     methoxyurea                                                                    Trichloroacetonitrile (compound No. 2)                                                                 25                                                     Amorphous silicic acid carrier                                                                         20                                                     Fatty alcohol sulfonate 2.5                                                    Sodium lignin sulfonate 2.5                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The above components are homogenized in a powder mixer, then finely ground in an Alpine 100 LU type laboratory mill. The floatability of the composition amounts to 88%.

EXAMPLE 13 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and a thiolcarbamate as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                                % by mass                                               ______________________________________                                         S--Ethyl N,N--di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamate                                                                64.8                                                  2-Ethyl-2-phenylbutyronitrile (compound                                                                 10.0                                                  No. 13)                                                                        Atlox 4857B emulsifying agent                                                                           4.3                                                   Atlox 3400 B emulsifying agent                                                                          2.9                                                   Kerosine                 18.0                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 14 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and a thiolcarbamate as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                                % by mass                                               ______________________________________                                         S--Propyl N,N--di(n-propyl)thiolcarbamate                                                               67.5                                                  Trichloroacetonitrile (compound No. 2)                                                                  10.0                                                  Tensiofix AS emulsifying agent                                                                          4.3                                                   Tensiofix IS emulsifying agent                                                                          2.9                                                   Kerosine                 15.3                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 15 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         1,1-Dimethyl-3-phenylurea                                                                            50                                                       3-Cyanopyridine (compound No. 11)                                                                    10                                                       Zeolit 424 carrier    20                                                       Siliceous earth carrier                                                                              20                                                       Netzer IS wetting agent                                                                              2                                                        Dispergiermittel      3                                                        Sulfite waste powder  5                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The above components are homogenized in a powder mixer, then finely ground in an Alpine 100 LU type laboratory mill. The floatability of the composition amounts to 88%.

EXAMPLE 16 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                                % by mass                                               ______________________________________                                         3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea                                                                 40                                                    2,3-Diphenylacrylonitrile (compound No. 9)                                                              40                                                    Zeolit 424 carrier       12                                                    Netzer IS wetting agent  1.5                                                   Dispergiermittel         2.5                                                   Sulfite waste powder     4.0                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The above components are treated as described in Example 15 to give a powder composition with a floatability of 82.5%.

EXAMPLE 17 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         1,1-Dimethyl-3-[(3-(trifluoromethyl)-                                                                50                                                       phenyl]-urea                                                                   4-Cyanopyridine (compound No. 12)                                                                    25                                                       Zeolit 424 carrier    15                                                       Netzer IS             2                                                        Dispergiermittel      3                                                        Sulfite waste powder  5                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The above components are treated as described in Example 15 to give a powder composition with a floatability of 86.4%.

EXAMPLE 18 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-1-                                                                   48                                                       methoxyurea                                                                    Premix containing pivalonitrile                                                                      20                                                       Siliceous earth carrier                                                                              22                                                       Netzer IS wetting agent                                                                              2                                                        Dispergiermittel      3                                                        Sulfite waste powder  5                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The above components are treated as described in Example 15 to give a powder composition with a floatability of 76%.

The premix containing the above antidote was prepared in such a way that 2 parts by mass of pivalonitrile (compound No. 1) as antidote were dissolved in 5 parts by mass of dichloromethane as solvent, then the thus-obtained solution was sprayed onto 18 parts by mass of Sipermat 50 synthetic silicate carrier under stirring, then the solvent was evaporated at 50° C.

EXAMPLE 19 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                              % by mass                                                 ______________________________________                                         3-(4-Bromo-3-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-1-                                                                50                                                      methoxyurea                                                                    Premix containing 2-benzyl-2-phenyl-                                                                  25                                                      butyronitrile                                                                  Siliceous earth carrier                                                                               15                                                      Netzer IS wetting agent                                                                               2                                                       Dispergiermittel       3                                                       Sulfite waste powder   5                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The above components are treated as described in Example 15 to give a powder composition with a floatability of 78.4%.

The premix containing the above antidote was prepared in such a way that 5 parts by mass of 2-benzyl-2-phenylbutyronitrile (compound No. 7) as antidote were dissolved in 5 parts by mass of dichloromethane, then the thus-obtained solution was sprayed onto 20 part by mass of Sipermat 50 synthetic silicate carrier and the solvent was evaporated at 50° C.

EXAMPLE 20 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         1,1-Dimethyl-3-phenylurea                                                                            18                                                       Pivalonitrile (compound No. 1)                                                                       2                                                        Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   6.4                                                      Emulsogen EL 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   1.6                                                      1:1 mixture of xylene with dichloro-                                                                 72.0                                                     methane                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 21 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                              % by mass                                                 ______________________________________                                         3-(4-Bromo-3-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-1-                                                                35                                                      methoxyurea                                                                    4-Ethoxyphenylacetonitrile (compound                                                                  5                                                       No. 3)                                                                         Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                    7.2                                                     Emulsogen EL 400 emulsifying agent                                                                    0.8                                                     2:2:1 mixture of xylene with dichloro-                                                                52.0                                                    methane and dimethylformamide                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 22 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                              % by mass                                                 ______________________________________                                         3-(4-Bromophenyl)-1-methyl-1-methoxy-                                                                 24                                                      urea                                                                           2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-ethylbutyro-                                                                     3                                                       nitrile (compound No. 14)                                                      Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                    6.4                                                     Emulsogen EL 400 emulsifying agent                                                                    1.6                                                     2:2:1 mixture of xylene with dichloro-                                                                62.0                                                    methane and dimethylformamide                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 23 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         1,1-Dimethyl-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-                                                                 23                                                       phenyl]-urea                                                                   3-Cyanopyridine (compound No. 11)                                                                    2                                                        Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   6.4                                                      Emulsogen EL 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   1.6                                                      1:1 mixture of xylene with dimethyl-                                                                 67.0                                                     formamide                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 24 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and a chloroacetanilide as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         2-Chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N--methoxymethyl-                                                               35                                                     acetanilide                                                                    2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-ethylbutyronitrile                                                                5                                                      (compound No. 14)                                                              Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                     6.4                                                    Emulsogen EL 400 emulsifying agent                                                                     1.6                                                    3:1 mixture of Aromatol with dimethyl-                                                                 52.0                                                   formamide                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 25 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing antidote with a chloroacetanilide and an urea as active ingredients

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         2-Chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N--methoxy-                                                                   32                                                       methylacetanilide                                                              3-(4-Bromophenyl)-1-methyl-1-methoxy-                                                                15                                                       urea                                                                           Pivalonitrile (compound No. 1)                                                                       3                                                        Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   7.2                                                      Emulsogen EL 400 emulsifying agent                                                                   0.8                                                      2:2:1 mixture of xylene with dichloro-                                                               42                                                       methane and dimethylformamide                                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 26 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote with a chloroacetanilide and an urea as active ingredients

    ______________________________________                                                              % by mass                                                 ______________________________________                                         2-Chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N--methoxy-                                                                    31                                                      methylacetanilide                                                              3-(4-Bromo-3-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-1-                                                                15                                                      methoxyurea                                                                    3-Cyanopyridine (compound No. 11)                                                                     2                                                       Emulsogen IP 400 emulsifying agent                                                                    7.2                                                     Emulsogen EL 400 emulsifying agent                                                                    0.8                                                     1:1 mixture of cyclohexanone with                                                                     44                                                      Aromatol                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 27 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and a thiolcarbamate as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         S--Ethyl N,N--diisobutylthiolcarbamate                                                                 90.0                                                   2-(4-Ethoxyphenyl)butyronitrile (com-                                                                  1.0                                                    pound No. 4)                                                                   Atlox 3400 B emulsifying agent                                                                         2.0                                                    Atlox 4857B emulsifying agent                                                                          4.0                                                    Kerosine                3.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 28 Composition of a granulate containing an antidote and a thiolcarbamate as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         S--Ethyl N,N--hexamethylenethiolcarbamate                                                              5.0                                                    3-Cyclohexylaminopropionitrile                                                                         3.0                                                    (compound No. 25)                                                              Calcined siliceous earth granulate                                                                     92.0                                                   carrier                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The above thiolcarbamate active ingredient and the antidote are dissolved in 10% by mass of dichloromethane and sprayed onto the carrier in a rotary granulating equipment under stirring, then the solvent is evaporated at 50° C. to give a granulate with a particle size of 0.2 to 1.0 mm.

EXAMPLE 29 Composition of a suspension (suspendable) concentrate containing an antidote with a thiolcarbamate and an urea as active ingredients

    ______________________________________                                                              % by mass                                                 ______________________________________                                         S--Ethyl N--cyclohexyl-N--ethylthiol-                                                                 40.0                                                    carbamate                                                                      3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl                                                                   40.0                                                    urea                                                                           3-Phthalimidopropionitrile (compound                                                                  5.0                                                     No. 20)                                                                        Atlox 4896 B emulsifying agent                                                                        6.0                                                     Atlox 4857 B emulsifying agent                                                                        2.0                                                     Aqueous thickening solution of 2% by                                                                  7.0                                                     mass of a polysaccharide                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The tiolcarbamate active ingredient and the emulsifying agents are homogenized by stirring, then the urea active ingredient and the antidote are suspended in the mixture under stirring. The thus-obtained coarse disperse system is finely ground in a laboratory pearl mill and then homogenized with the thickening solution to give a suspension (suspendable) concentrate with a particle size lower than 10μ (in 92%) and having a floatability of 88.2%.

EXAMPLE 30 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and a thiolcarbamate active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         S--(2,3-Dichloroallyl) N,N--diisopropyl-                                                               40.0                                                   thioIcarbamate                                                                 4-Methoxyphenylacetonitrile (compound                                                                  4.0                                                    No. 40)                                                                        Atlox 3400 B emulsifying agent                                                                         2.2                                                    Atlox 4857 B emulsifying agent                                                                         3.8                                                    4:1 mixture of xylene with isophorone                                                                  50.0                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 31 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote with a thiolcarbamate and a chloroacetanilide as active ingredients

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         S--(4-Chlorobenzyl) N,N--diethylthiol-                                                                 75.0                                                   carbamate                                                                      2-Chloro-2'-ethyl-6'-methyl-N--ethoxy-                                                                 5.0                                                    methylacetanilide                                                              3-Cyclohexylamino-2-methylpropionitrile                                                                2.0                                                    (compound No 49)                                                               Tensiofix AS emulsifying agent                                                                         2.5                                                    Tensiofix IS emulsifying agent                                                                         5.5                                                    Xylene                  10.0                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 32 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                              % by mass                                                 ______________________________________                                         3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-                                                                  80.0                                                    urea                                                                           4-Chlorophenylacetonitrile (compound                                                                  2.0                                                     No. 18)                                                                        Netzer IS wetting agent                                                                               2.0                                                     Dispergiermittel 1494 dispersing agent                                                                4.0                                                     Wessalon S carrier     12.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The above components are treated as described in Example 15 to give a powder composition with a floatability of 86.4%.

EXAMPLE 33 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote with an urea and a chloroacetanilide as active ingredients

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         2-Chloro-2'-ethyl-6'-methyl-N--(1-methyl-                                                              60.0                                                   2-methoxyethyl)acetanilide                                                     3-(3-Chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-                                                                      5.0                                                    dimethylurea                                                                   3-N--Isopropylanilino-2-methylpropio-                                                                  5.0                                                    nitrile (compound No. 51)                                                      Tensiofix AS emulsifying agent                                                                         6.5                                                    Tensiofix IS emulsifying agent                                                                         1.5                                                    1:1 mixture of xylene with cyclohexanone                                                               22.0                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 34 Composition of an equeous suspension (suspendable) concentrate containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                               % by mass                                                ______________________________________                                         3-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-1,1-di-                                                                    46.0                                                   methylurea                                                                     2-Chlorobenzonitrile (compound No. 52)                                                                 4.0                                                    Atlox 4853 B emulsifying agent                                                                         5.0                                                    Atlox 4896 B emulsifying agent                                                                         3.0                                                    Water                   35.0                                                   Aqueous thickening solution of 2% by                                                                   7.0                                                    mass of a polysaccharide                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The emulsifying agents are dissolved in the water, then the urea active ingredient and the antidote are suspended in the solution. Thereafter, the coarse disperse system is finely ground in a laboratory pearl mill and then homogenized with the thickening solution to give an aqueous suspension concentrate with a particle size lower than 10μ (in 93.6%) and having a floatability of 91.4%.

EXAMPLE 35 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                              % by mass                                                 ______________________________________                                         1,1-Dimethyl-3-(4-isopropylphenyl)urea                                                                72.0                                                    2,4,6-Trimethoxybenzonitrile (compound                                                                8.0                                                     No. 53)                                                                        Netzer IS wetting agent                                                                               2.5                                                     Dispergiermittel 1494 dispersing agent                                                                3.5                                                     Ultrasyl VN 3 carrier  14.0                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The above components are treated as described in Example 15 to give a powder composition with a floatability of 87.2%.

EXAMPLE 36 Composition of a wettable powder containing an antidote and an urea as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                             % by mass                                                  ______________________________________                                         3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea                                                                  76.0                                                     2-(4-Chlorophenylamino)acetonitrile                                                                  4.0                                                      (compound No. 37)                                                              Netzer IS wetting agent                                                                              2.0                                                      Dispergiermittel 1494 dispersing agent                                                               4.0                                                      Ultrasyl VN 3 carrier 14.0                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The above components are treated as described in Example 15 to give a powder composition with a floatability of 85.9%.

EXAMPLE 37 Composition of an emulsifiable concentrate containing an antidote and a chloroacetanilide as active ingredient

    ______________________________________                                                                % by mass                                               ______________________________________                                         2-Chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N--butoxymethyl-                                                                 78.0                                                  acetanilide                                                                    2-Methyl-2-phenylpropionitrile (compound                                                                2.0                                                   No. 5)                                                                         Tensiofix AS emulsifying agent                                                                          3.6                                                   Tensiofix IS emulsifying agent                                                                          2.4                                                   1:1 mixture of xylene with dimethyl-                                                                    14.0                                                  formamide                                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The auxiliary materials used in the above formulation Examples were as follows:

Emulsogen: a mixture of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate with fatty acid polyglycol esters (product of Hoechst)

Netzer: sodium alkylsulfonate (product of Hoechst)

Arkopon T: sodium oleylmethyltauride (product of Hoechst)

Dispergiermittel: a forecondensate of cresol and formaldehyde (product of Hoechst)

Atlox: a mixture of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate with poly(oxyethylene)alkylphenols (product of Atlas Chemie)

Tensiofix: octylphenyol polyglycol ether or nonylphenol polyglycol ether, respectively (product of Tensia)

Zeolex: a synthetic silicate carrier (product of Zeofinn Org. Hamine)

Wessalon S: a synthetic silicate carrier (product of Degussa)

Ultrasyl VN 3: a synthetic silicate carrier (product of Degussa)

Aromatol: a solvent mixture containing 98% of aromatic compounds with a boiling point of 145° to 190° C. (product of the Dunai Koolajipari Vallalat) (Duna Petroleum Industry Comp.).

The phytotoxicity decreasing effect of the nitrile derivatives of the formula (I) were investigated both in greenhouse as well as in field experiments.

During our inventigations, the percentage value of sprouting of the cultivated plant, the damaging effect observed on the cultivated plant and the herbicide action were measured by using the internationally accepted EWRC scores. These data are summarized in Table II.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                                                              Herbi-                                          Phytotoxic symptoms                                                                            General appearance                                                                            cide                                      EWRC  observed on     of             effect                                    score cultivated plants          %                                             ______________________________________                                         1     none            excellent      100                                       2     very mild       very good      98                                        3     mild symptoms   good           95                                        4     strong but transient                                                                           satisfactory   90                                              symptoms, decrease in                                                          crop                                                                     5     symptoms of unknown                                                                            problematic    82                                              origin                                                                   6     observable harmful                                                                             unsatisfactory 70                                              symptoms                                                                 7     symptoms of a strong                                                                           poor           55                                              damage                                                                   8     symptoms of a very                                                                             very poor      30                                              strong damage                                                            9     total perishment                                                                               unsuitable      0                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 38 Study of the antidote effect on urea-type herbicides in greenhouse tests

These tests were carried out in cultivating pots with 4-fold repetitions. The pots of 14 cm in diameter were filled with soil, then 10 maize grains each were sown in the pots and covered with a soil layer of 4 cm in height. Then, the pots were treated with the appropriate amount of an urea-type herbicide and the formulated antidote. The plants were cultivated in a greenhouse and sprinkled when necessary. The sprouting plants were evaluated at the end of the fourth week following the sowing. The percentage of the sprouting and the EWRC score of the maize were determined.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                                      Treatment with                                                    Nitrile            Antidote Herbicide                                                                             Sprout-                                     compound Herbicide kg/hec-  kg/hec-                                                                               ing   EWRC                                  No.      agent     tare     tare   %     score                                 ______________________________________                                         1        Fenuron   2.5      2.0    93.3  1                                     1        Fenuron   2.5      1.0    93.3  2                                     1        Fenuron   0.5      2.0    96.6  1                                     1        Fenuron   0.5      1.0    93.3  1                                     2        Fenuron   0.5      2.0    95.0  2                                     11       Fenuron   0.5      2.0    93.0  2                                     1        Linuron   2.5      2.5    96.6  3                                     1        Linuron   2.5      1.25   95.3  3                                     1        Linuron   0.5      2.5    94.0  1                                     1        Linuron   0.5      1.25   93.5  1                                     2        Linuron   0.5      1.25   96.6  1                                     2        Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     2        Linuron   2.5      1.25   96.6  1                                     2        Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.5  2                                     3        Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  2                                     3        Linuron   0.5      2.50   96.6  3                                     3        Linuron   2.5      1.25   94.3  2                                     3        Linuron   2.5      2.50   93.5  2                                     4        Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     4        Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     4        Linuron   2.5      1.25   96.6  1                                     4        Linuron   2.5      2.50   94.0  2                                     6        Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     6        Linuron   0.5      2.50   96.6  2                                     6        Linuron   2.5      1.25   96.6  2                                     6        Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.0  3                                     8        Linuron   0.5      1.25   95.0  2                                     8        Linuron   0.5      2.50   93.5  2                                     8        Linuron   2.5      1.25   94.0  2                                     8        Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.0  2                                     9        Linuron   0.5      1.25   96.6  1                                     9        Linuron   0.5      2.50   92.5  2                                     9        Linuron   2.5      1.25   96.6  2                                     9        Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.5  2                                     11       Linuron   0.5      1.25   100.0 1                                     11       Linuron   0.5      2.50   96.6  1                                     11       Linuron   2.5      1.25   96.6  1                                     11       Linuron   2.5      2.50   96.6  1                                     12       Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     12       Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     12       Linuron   2.5      1.25   96.6  2                                     12       Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.5  3                                     13       Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     13       Linuron   0.5      2.50   97.5  1                                     13       Linuron   2.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     13       Linuron   2.5      2.50   97.5  1                                     14       Linuron   0.5      1.25   96.6  1                                     14       Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     14       Linuron   2.5      1.25   95.0  2                                     14       Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.5  2                                     15       Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     15       Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     15       Linuron   2.5      1.25   95.0  1                                     15       Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.5  2                                     16       Linuron   0.5      1.25   95.0  2                                     16       Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     16       Linuron   2.5      1.25   95.0  2                                     16       Linuron   2.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     17       Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     17       Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     17       Linuron   2.5      1.25   95.0  2                                     17       Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.5  3                                     18       Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     18       Linuron   0.5      2.50   97.5  1                                     18       Linuron   2.5      1.25   95.0  2                                     18       Linuron   2.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     19       Linuron   0.5      1.25   95.0  2                                     19       Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     19       Linuron   2.5      1.25   92.5  3                                     19       Linuron   2.5      2.50   92.5  3                                     23       Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     23       Linuron   0.5      2.50   97.5  1                                     23       Linuron   2.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     23       Linuron   2.5      2.50   97.5  1                                     52       Linuron   0.5      1.25   97.5  1                                     52       Linuron   0.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     52       Linuron   2.5      1.25   96.5  1                                     52       Linuron   2.5      2.50   95.0  2                                     CGA 43.089                                                                              Linuron   0.5      1.25   92.5  3                                     CGA 43.089                                                                              Linuron   0.5      2.50   90.0  3                                     CGA 43.089                                                                              Linuron   2.5      1.25   89.0  3                                     CGA 43.089                                                                              Linuron   2.5      2.50   89.0  3                                     --       Linuron   --       2.0    88.0  7                                     --       Fenuron   --       1.0    90.0  5                                     --       Linuron   --       2.5    86.0  7                                     --       Linuron   --       1.25   89.0  5                                     --       untreated --       --     96.6  1                                              control                                                               ______________________________________                                    

A known antidote, cyanomethoxy-iminophenylacetonitrile (code number: CGA 43,089: was used as reference agent in these experiments.

The data of Table III prove that the toxicity of both fenuron and linuron is diminished and the sprouting percentage of the maize is improved by using the nitrile derivatives.

EXAMPLE 39 Study of the antidote effect in the case of thiolcarbamate-type herbicides in greenhouse tests

These tests were carried out in pots of 14 cm in diameter with 5-fold repetitions. The pots were filled with sandy adobe soil to the two-thirds of their volume and 10 grains of maize each were placed in the pots. Then, the grains were covered with treated or untreated, respectively soil of 5 cm in height according to the given experiment. The soil was treated in such a way that the composition containing both the antidote and herbicide as calculated for the soil with a given surface area was diluted with a water amount corresponding to 400 liters/hectare and then, this mixture was sprayed onto the soil by using a rotary, small concrete mixer. In addition to the experimental samples treated with the herbicide alone or treated, respectively with both the antidote and herbicide, an untreated control was also used.

The plants were cultivated in a greenhouse and sprinkled when necessary. The evaluation was carried out at the end of the fourth week following the sowing. The percentage of sprouting and the EWRC score were determined; furthermore, the green weight of the sprouting plant was measured and related to that of the untreated control. The results are summarized in Table IV.

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                         Treatment with                                                                 Nitrile Antidote Herbicide               Green                                 compound                                                                               kg/      EPTC      Sprouting                                                                              EWRC  weight                                No.     hectare  kg/hectare                                                                               %       score %                                     ______________________________________                                         1       2.50     --        83.3    1     85.8                                  1       2.50     8.0       80.0    1     99.7                                  1       0.50     8.0       76.6    1     100.8                                 10      2.50     --        83.3    1     98.7                                  10      2.50     8.0       83.3    1     87.5                                  13      0.50     8.0       80.0    1     92.1                                  21      0.50     8.0       80.0    3     94.5                                  21      1.00     8.0       83.3    2     94.4                                  19      0.50     8.0       83.3    1     96.0                                  19      0.75     8.0       76.6    3     91.0                                  18      0.50     8.0       76.6    3     90.0                                  18      0.75     8.0       83.3    1     97.9                                  --      --       8.0       63.3    5     70.8                                  R 25788 0.5      8.0       63.3    2     88.3                                  --      --       --        83.3    1     100.0                                 ______________________________________                                    

It can clearly be seen from Table IV that, on using the nitrile antidotes according to the invention, both the percentage of sprouting and the green weight became more advantageous on comparison to the known antidote N,N-diallyldichloroacetamide (R 25788).

EXAMPLE 40 Study of the antidote effect in the case of chloroacetanilide-type herbicides in greenhouse tests

These tests were carried out in pots of 14 cm in diameter with 4-fold repetitions. The pots were filled with soil to the two-thirds of their volume and 10 sugar beet seeds each were sown in the pots, then covered with soil of 4 cm in height. The treatment was carried out with a tank mixture containing both the antidote and the chloroacetanilide-type herbicide.

The plants were cultivated in a greenhouse and sprinkled when necessary. The experiments were evaluated after sowing. The results are summarized in Table V.

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                                Treatment with                                                          Nitrile            Herbicide                                                   compound Antidote  Acenit 50 EC                                                                               Sprouting                                                                              EWRC                                    No.      kg/hectare                                                                               kg/hectare  %       %                                       ______________________________________                                         1        2.5       --          73.3    1                                       1        2.5       10          53.3    1                                       1        2.5        5          76.6    1                                       1        0.5       --          90.0    1                                       1        0.5       10          43.3    1                                       1        0.5        5          73.3    1                                       10       2.5       --          80.0    1                                       10       2.5       10          50.0    5                                       10       2.5        5          73.3    1                                       10       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       10       0.5       10          46.6    5                                       10       0.5        5          80.0    1                                       11       2.5       --          73.3    1                                       11       2.5       10          46.6    5                                       11       2.5        5          73.3    1                                       11       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       11       0.5       10          46.6    5                                       11       0.5        5          43.3    5                                       20       0.5       --          80.0    1                                       20       0.5        5          73.5    1                                       20       0.5       10          46.6    3                                       20       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       20       2.5        5          73.3    1                                       20       2.5       10          53.3    2                                       21       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       21       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       21       0.5       10          66.6    2                                       21       2.5       --          73.3    1                                       21       2.5        5          66.6    2                                       21       2.5       10          63.3    2                                       22       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       22       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       22       0.5       10          66.6    2                                       22       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       22       2.5        5          73.3    2                                       22       2.5       10          60.0    3                                       24       0.5       --          73.3    1                                       24       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       24       0.5       10          63.3    2                                       24       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       24       2.5        5          56.6    3                                       24       2.5       10          46.6    3                                       25       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       25       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       25       0.5       10          70.0    2                                       25       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       25       2.5        5          76.6    1                                       25       2.5       10          73.3    1                                       30       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       30 0.5    5        73.3        1                                               30       0.5       10          60.0    2                                       30       2.5       --          73.3    1                                       30       2.5        5          70.0    2                                       30       2.5       10          56.6    3                                       32       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       32       0.5        5          73.6    2                                       32       0.5       10          60.0    2                                       32       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       32       2.5        5          60.0    3                                       32       2.5       10          46.6    3                                       33       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       33       0.5        5          70.0    1                                       33       0.5       10          56.6    2                                       33       2.5       --          80.0    1                                       33       2.5        5          73.6    1                                       33       2.5       10          70.0    1                                       34       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       34       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       34       0.5       10          73.6    1                                       34       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       34       2.5        5          63.3    2                                       34       2.5       10          46.6    4                                       36       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       36       0.5        5          73.3    1                                       36       0.5       10          66.6    2                                       36       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       36       2.5        5          66.6    2                                       36       2.5       10          53.3    2                                       37       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       37       0.5        5          66.6    2                                       37       0.5       10          50.0    3                                       37       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       37       2.5        5          46.6    3                                       37       2.5       10          43.3    4                                       39       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       39       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       39       0.5       10          66.6    2                                       39       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       39       2.5        5          53.3    3                                       39       2.5       10          53.3    3                                       40       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       40       0.5        5          73.3    1                                       40       0.5       10          56.6    2                                       40       2.5       --          80.0    1                                       40       2.5        5          53.3    2                                       40       2.5       10          46.6    3                                       41       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       41       0.5        5          73.3    1                                       41       0.5       10          60.0    2                                       41       2.5       --          73.6    1                                       41       2.5        5          66.6    2                                       41       2.5       10          43.3    3                                       42       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       42       0.5        5          73.3    1                                       42       0.5       10          66.6    1                                       42       2.5       --          73.3    1                                       42       2.5        5          56.6    2                                       42       2.5       10          46.6    3                                       43       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       43       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       43       0.5       10          63.3    2                                       43       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       43       2.5        5          66.6    1                                       43       2.5       10          53.3    3                                       44       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       44       0.5        5          63.3    2                                       44       0.5       10          43.3    3                                       44       2.5       --          70.0    2                                       44       2.5        5          56.6    3                                       44       2.5       10          40.0    4                                       45       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       45       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       45       0.5       10          76.6    2                                       45       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       45       2.5        5          63.3    2                                       45       2.5       10          50.0    3                                       46       0.5       --          80.0    1                                       46       0.5        5          73.3    1                                       46       0.5       10          60.0    2                                       46       2.5       --          70.0    2                                       46       2.5        5          56.6    3                                       46       2.5       10          43.3    4                                       47       0.5       --          73.3    1                                       47       0.5        5          66.6    2                                       47       0.5       10          43.3    4                                       47       2.5       --          66.6    2                                       47       2.5        5          43.3    4                                       47       2.5       10          43.3    4                                       48       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       48       0.5        5          73.3    1                                       48       0.5       10          56.6    3                                       48       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       48       2.5        5          56.6    3                                       48       2.5       10          43.3    3                                       49       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       49       0.5        5          76.6    1                                       49       0.5       10          73.3    1                                       49       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       49       2.5        5          73.3    1                                       49       2.5       10          70.0    1                                       50       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       50       0.5        5          70.0    1                                       50       0.5       10          56.6    2                                       50       2.5       --          73.3    1                                       50       2.5        5          66.6    2                                       50       2.5       10          53.3    2                                       51       0.5       --          76.6    1                                       51       0.5        5          73.3    1                                       51       0.5       10          60.0    1                                       51       2.5       --          76.6    1                                       51       2.5        5          60.0    1                                       51       2.5       10          46.6    3                                       --       --        10          0.0     9                                       --       --         5          10.0    8                                       R 25788  2.5       10          10.0    8                                       R 25788  0.5        5          36.6    8                                       CGA 43.089                                                                              0.5       --          73.3    1                                       CGA 43.089                                                                              0.5        5          46.6    3                                       CGA 43.089                                                                              0.5       10          33.3    4                                       CGA 43.089                                                                              2.5       --          66.6    2                                       CGA 43.089                                                                              2.5        5          43.3    4                                       CGA 43.089                                                                              2.5       10          36.6    5                                       --       --        --          76.6    1                                       ______________________________________                                    

The data of Table V show that, on the treatment with Acenit 50 EC containing 50% of acetochlor [chemically 2-chloro-2'-ethyl-6'-methyl-N-ethoxymethylacetanilide], the sugar beet sprouted to a very little extent (10%) or not at all. The sprouting was also low when the well known N,N-diallyldichloroacetamide (code number: R 25788) herbicide agent and cyanomethoxy-iminophenylacetonitrile (code number: CGA 43.089) antidote were used, whereas the phytotoxic effects of acetochlor were significantly diminished by using the nitrile compounds of the invention.

EXAMPLE 41 Study of the antidote effect in the case of urea-type herbicides by using various cultivated plants

These tests were carried out in plastic pots lined with a plastic foil which were capable of receiving 800 g of soil. 400 g of air-dry field soil each were weighed in the cultivating pots. The soil had a pH value of 4.67, a cledginess of 46 according to Arany and an organic substance content of 1.97%. As test plants, 10 grains of Pi-3707 maize, 5 seeds of soy and 20 grains of wheat each were sown onto the soil in the pots. After sowing, the seeds were covered with 100 g of soil and the treatments were carried out in 4-fold repetitions. The plants were cultivated at 28±4° C. by using an illumination period lasting 16 hours. The water was daily supplied up to the total capacity.

The evaluation was carried out at the 12th day calculated from the sowing, i.e. at the 8th day calculated from the sprouting. The sprout height of the maize as well as the green weight of the soy and wheat were measured. The results are summarized in Tables VI, VII and VIII.

                  TABLE VI                                                         ______________________________________                                                                          Maize                                         Nitrile         Treatment with   sprout                                        compound            Antidote   Herbicide                                                                              height                                  No.     Herbicide   kg/hectare kg/hectare                                                                             cm                                      ______________________________________                                         1       Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     36.0                                    1       Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     31.5                                    5       Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     34.8                                    5       Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     36.7                                    7       Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     40.1                                    7       Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     39.3                                    10      Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     34.4                                    10      Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     36.1                                    11      Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     36.8                                    11      Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     36.2                                    13      Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     37.1                                    13      Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     36.0                                    25      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     40.4                                    25      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     37.1                                    26      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     39.4                                    26      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     40.3                                    27      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     40.5                                    27      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     36.9                                    27      Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     37.3                                    27      Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     32.7                                    28      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     42.2                                    28      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     39.3                                    28      Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     32.2                                    28      Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     36.4                                    29      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     39.6                                    29      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     35.7                                    29      Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     37.1                                    29      Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     37.4                                    31      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     37.2                                    31      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     41.8                                    35      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     41.0                                    35      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     38.4                                    38      Isoproturon 0.25       4.0     35.6                                    38      Isoproturon 1.0        4.0     32.4                                    53      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     41.5                                    53      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     38.0                                    56      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     36.9                                    56      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     40.9                                    57      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     39.9                                    57      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     35.6                                    58      Isoproturon 0.25       2.0     39.5                                    58      Isoproturon 1.0        2.0     40.9                                    --      --          --         --      36.9                                    --      Isoproturon --         2.0     34.7                                    --      Isoproturon --         4.0     29.6                                    5       Diuron      0.25       4.0     34.8                                    5       Diuron      1.0        4.0     30.3                                    7       Diuron      0.25       4.0     34.8                                    7       Diuron      1.0        4.0     33.5                                    10      Diuron      0.25       4.0     34.8                                    10      Diuron      1.0        4.0     31.0                                    28      Diuron      0.25       4.0     35.6                                    28      Diuron      1.0        4.0     31.1                                    31      Diuron      0.25       4.0     30.1                                    31      Diuron      1.0        4.0     34.7                                    53      Diuron      0.25       4.0     36.4                                    53      Diuron      1.0        4.0     33.9                                    --      Diuron      --         4.0     29.4                                    28      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       2.0     37.4                                    28      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        2.0     41.2                                    28      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       4.0     43.4                                    28      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        4.0     39.8                                    35      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       2.0     42.3                                    35      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        2.0     44.7                                    53      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       2.0     39.6                                    53      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        2.0     41.6                                    53      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       4.0     44.4                                    53      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        4.0     42.1                                    56      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       2.0     43.1                                    56      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        2.0     44.5                                    56      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       4.0     40.8                                    56      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        4.0     39.6                                    58      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       2.0     43.8                                    58      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        2.0     41.8                                    58      Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25       4.0     40.0                                    58      Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0        4.0     38.9                                    --      Chlorbromuron                                                                              --         2.0     36.9                                    --      Chlorbromuron                                                                              --         4.0     34.8                                    ______________________________________                                    

It can be seen from Table VI that the maize was protected from the harmful effects of the various urea-type herbicides by using the nitrile derivatives according to the invention as antidotes.

                  TABLE VII                                                        ______________________________________                                                                       Green weight                                     Nitrile                       of wheat as                                      com-          Treatment with  % of the un-                                     pound             Antidote  Herbicide                                                                              treated con-                               No.   Herbicide   kg/hectare                                                                               kg/hectare                                                                             trol                                       ______________________________________                                         1     Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     82                                         1     Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     124                                        5     Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     116                                        5     Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     152                                        7     Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     124                                        7     Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     127                                        11    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     86                                         11    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     103                                        13    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     100                                        13    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     136                                        26 Isoproturon                                                                       0.25        4.0       97                                                 26    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     109                                        27    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     123                                        27    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     137                                        28    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     83                                         28    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     113                                        29    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     101                                        29    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     144                                        31    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     123                                        31    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     130                                        32    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     193                                        32    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     288                                        35    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     136                                        35    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     153                                        53    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     182                                        53    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     75                                         57    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     147                                        57    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     141                                        58    Isoproturon 0.25      4.0     136                                        58    Isoproturon 1.0       4.0     141                                        --    Isoproturon --        4.0     78                                         6     Diuron      0.25      2.0     106                                        6     Diuron      1.0       2.0     111                                        25    Diuron      0.25      2.0     82                                         25    Diuron      1.0       2.0     107                                        26    Diuron      0.25      2.0     86                                         26    Diuron      1.0       2.0     103                                        28    Diuron      0.25      2.0     110                                        28    Diuron      1.0       2.0     65                                         31    Diuron      0.25      2.0     113                                        31    Diuron      1.0       2.0     102                                        32    Diuron      0.25      2.0     85                                         32    Diuron      1.0       2.0     100                                        38    Diuron      0.25      2.0     99                                         38    Diuron      1.0       2.0     106                                        53    Diuron      0.25      2.0     92                                         53    Diuron      1.0       2.0     107                                        56    Diuron      0.25      2.0     95                                         56    Diuron      1.0       2.0     116                                        57    Diuron      0.25      2.0     91                                         57    Diuron      1.0       2.0     146                                        --    Diuron      --        2.0     64                                         1     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     91                                         1     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     121                                        1     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     107                                        1     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     105                                        5     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     89                                         5     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     62                                         5     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     104                                        5     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     88                                         7     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     181                                        7     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     121                                        7     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     59                                         7     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     96                                         13    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     67                                         13    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     52                                         13    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     108                                        13    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     106                                        26    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     112                                        26    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     107                                        26    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     108                                        26    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     108                                        27    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     113                                        27    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     77                                         27    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     99                                         27    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     105                                        58    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     100                                        58    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     106                                        58    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     134                                        58    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     128                                        59    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     106                                        59    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     75                                         59    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      4.0     141                                        59    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       4.0     112                                        --    Chlorbromuron                                                                              --        2.0     60                                         --    Chlorbromuron                                                                              --        4.0     44                                         ______________________________________                                    

It is evident from the data of Table VII that the wheat was effectively protected from the harmful effect of various herbicidal urea derivatives such as isoproturon, diuron and chlorbromuron by using the nitrile derivatives of the invention as antidotes.

                  TABLE VIII                                                       ______________________________________                                         Nitrile                       Green weight                                     com-          Treatment with  of soy as %                                      pound             Antidote  Herbicide                                                                              of the un-                                 No.   Herbicide   kg/hectare                                                                               kg/hectare                                                                             treated control                            ______________________________________                                         1     Isoproturon 0.25      2.0     104                                        1     Isoproturon 1.0       2.0     103                                        25    Isoproturon 0.25      2.0     89                                         25    Isoproturon 1.0       2.0     111                                        32    Isoproturon 0.25      2.0     104                                        32    Isoproturon 1.0       2.0     92                                         56    Isoproturon 0.25      2.0     88                                         56    Isoproturon 1.0       2.0     111                                        57    Isoproturon 0.25      2.0     126                                        57    Isoproturon 1.0       2.0     119                                        --    Isoproturon --        2.0     85                                         1     Diuron      0.25      2.0     86                                         1     Diuron      1.0       2.0     145                                        1     Diuron      0.25      4.0     106                                        1     Diuron      1.0       4.0     104                                        7     Diuron      0.25      2.0     99                                         7     Diuron      1.0       2.0     119                                        7     Diuron      0.25      4.0     91                                         7     Diuron      1.0       4.0     112                                        10    Diuron      0.25      2.0     116                                        10    Diuron      1.0       2.0     105                                        10    Diuron      0.25      4.0     98                                         10    Diuron      1.0       4.0     103                                        11    Diuron      0.25      2.0     106                                        11    Diuron      1.0       2.0     84                                         11    Diuron      0.25      4.0     106                                        11    Diuron      1.0       4.0     94                                         13    Diuron      0.25      2.0     118                                        13    Diuron      1.0       2.0     106                                        13    Diuron      0.25      4.0     97                                         13    Diuron      1.0       4.0     141                                        25    Diuron      0.25      2.0     100                                        25    Diuron      1.0       2.0     118                                        25    Diuron      0.25      4.0     92                                         25    Diuron      1.0       4.0     104                                        27    Diuron      0.25      2.0     123                                        27    Diuron      1.0       2.0     123                                        27    Diuron      0.25      4.0     92                                         27    Diuron      1.0       4.0     103                                        32    Diuron      0.25      2.0     119                                        32    Diuron      1.0       2.0     133                                        32    Diuron      0.25      4.0     134                                        32    Diuron      1.0       4.0     99                                         56    Diuron      0.25      2.0     124                                        56    Diuron      1.0       2.0     94                                         56    Diuron      0.25      4.0     89                                         56    Diuron      1.0       4.0     112                                        57    Diuron      0.25      2.0     169                                        57    Diuron      1.0       2.0     108                                        57    Diuron      0.25      4.0     88                                         57    Diuron      1.0       4.0     102                                        --    Diuron      --        2.0     82                                         --    Diuron      --        4.0     88                                         1     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     88                                         1     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     110                                        5     Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     108                                        5     Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     82                                         10    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     110                                        10    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     101                                        11    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     102                                        11    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     137                                        13    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     112                                        13    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     111                                        27    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     131                                        27    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     97                                         28    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     85                                         28    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     111                                        31    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     122                                        31    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     126                                        32    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     122                                        32    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     118                                        38    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     111                                        38    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     92                                         53    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     126                                        53    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     123                                        56    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     135                                        56    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     102                                        57    Chlorbromuron                                                                              0.25      2.0     137                                        57    Chlorbromuron                                                                              1.0       2.0     116                                        --    Chlorbromuron                                                                              --        2.0     80                                         ______________________________________                                    

The results summarized in Table VIII also support that the soy was effectively protected from the harmful effect of various herbicidal urea derivatives such as isoproturor, diuron and chlorbromuron by using the nitrile derivatives of the invention as antidotes.

EXAMPLE 42 Study of the antidote effect in the case of urea-type herbicides on maize species with various sensitivity

These tests were carried cut in pots of 14 cm in diameter with 5-fold repetitions. The pots were filled with a sandy adobe soil to the two-thirds of their volume and 10 grains of maize each of the species ETA-TC, Pi-3901, Pi-3965 and Pi-3839, respectively were sown in the pots, then the grains were covered with a treated or untreated soil of 5 cm in height according to the given experiment.

The soil was treated with 6 kg/hectare of linuron together with various amounts of the nitrile antidotes. The height of the sprout was determined and compared to the untreated control. The results are summarized in Table IX.

                  TABLE IX                                                         ______________________________________                                         Nitrile   Antidote             Sprout height                                   compound  dose        Maize    as % of the un-                                 No.       kg/hectare  species  treated control                                 ______________________________________                                         1         0.1         Pi-3901  84.0                                            1         0.5         Pi-3901  89.9                                            1         1.0         Pi-3901  99.3                                            1         1.5         Pi-3901  89.2                                            7         0.1         Pi-3901  85.7                                            7         0.5         Pi-3901  94.4                                            7         1.0         Pi-3901  101.7                                           7         1.5         Pi-3901  97.2                                            10        0.1         Pi-3901  90.2                                            10        0.5         Pi-3901  86.8                                            10        1.0         Pi-3901  91.8                                            10        1.5         Pi-3901  91.6                                            13        0.1         Pi-3901  96.1                                            13        0.5         Pi-3901  106.3                                           13        1.0         Pi-3901  94.4                                            13        1.5         Pi-3901  84.7                                            18        0.1         Pi-3901  85.4                                            18        0.5         Pi-3901  104.2                                           18        1.0         Pi-3901  114.3                                           18        1.5         Pi-3901  99.3                                            --        --          Pi-3901  81.5                                            6         0.1         ETA-TC   98.8                                            6         0.5         ETA-TC   100.8                                           6         1.0         ETA-TC   89.2                                            6         1.5         ETA-TC   93.0                                            7         0.1         ETA-TC   101.4                                           7         0.5         ETA-TC   89.6                                            7         1.0         ETA-TC   94.8                                            7         1.5         ETA-TC   94.7                                            13        0.1         ETA-TC   98.0                                            13        0.5         ETA-TC   101.4                                           13        1.0         ETA-TC   97.3                                            13        1.5         ETA-TC   91.4                                            --        --          ETA-TC   89.1                                            1         0.1         Pi-3965  106.8                                           1         0.5         Pi-3965  98.9                                            1         1.0         Pi-3965  112.9                                           1         1.5         Pi-3965  109.0                                           6         0.1         Pi-3965  111.5                                           6         0.5         Pi-3965  97.5                                            6         1.0         Pi-3965  96.1                                            6         1.5         Pi-3965  109.3                                           7         0.1         Pi-3965  100.5                                           7         0.5         Pi-3965  119.7                                           7         1.0         Pi-3965  97.5                                            7         1.5         Pi-3965  117.2                                           10        0.1         Pi-3965  111.1                                           10        0.5         Pi-3965  118.3                                           10        1.0         Pi-3965  121.5                                           10        1.5         Pi-3965  101.4                                           13        0.1         Pi-3965  107.9                                           13        0.5         Pi-3965  112.2                                           13        1.0         Pi-3965  121.9                                           13        1.5         Pi-3965  109.0                                           18        0.1         Pi-3965  120.4                                           18        0.5         Pi-3965  101.1                                           18        1.0         Pi-3965  96.4                                            18        1.5         Pi-3965  97.8                                            --        --          Pi-3965  96.1                                            1         0.1         Pi-3839  79.5                                            1         0.5         Pi-3839  86.8                                            1         1.0         Pi-3839  96.0                                            1         1.5         Pi-3839  86.2                                            3         0.1         Pi-3839  111.6                                           3         0.5         Pi-3839  104.2                                           3         1.0         Pi-3839  106.8                                           3         1.5         Pi-3839  104.8                                           7         0.1         Pi-3839  94.2                                            7         0.5         Pi-3839  87.8                                            7         1.0         Pi-3839  84.9                                            7         1.5         Pi-3839  92.6                                            10        0.1         Pi-3839  92.4                                            10        0.5         Pi-3839  96.8                                            10        1.0         Pi-3839  92.3                                            10        1.5         Pi-3839  97.1                                            13        0.1         Pi-3839  100.3                                           13        0.5         Pi-3839  90.0                                            13        1.0         Pi-3839  97.4                                            13        1.5         Pi-3839  89.1                                            18        0.1         Pi-3839  96.1                                            18        0.5         Pi-3839  105.6                                           18        1.0         Pi-3839  105.1                                           18        1.5         Pi-3839  103.9                                           --        --          Pi-3839  78.5                                            ______________________________________                                    

It can be seen from Table IX that maize species with various sensitivity were also protected by using the antidotes of the invention.

After the greenhouse tests, the phytotoxicity-diminishing effect of the nitrile derivatives according to the invention was investigated in small-parcel experiments.

In these tests, the antidote and herbicide compositions were used partly in the form of a tank mixture and partly in a formulation containing both the herbicide agent and the nitrile derivative.

The experiments were continuously evaluated by determining the percentage of sprouting of the cultivated plants, by observing the damages caused by the herbicides as well as by evaluating the amount of the crop and registering the herbicide action. From an economical point of view, the water content of the crop has a high significance: this water content is increased on the use of herbicides. Thus, on the assessment of our field experiments, a real extent of the antidote action also appears in the decrease of the water content.

EXAMPLE 43 Study of the antidote effect in the case of urea-type herbicides in small-parcel tests

The phytotoxicity-decreasing effect in the case of an urea-type herbicide was studied with pivalonitrile (compound No. 1) in small-parcel tests. The antidote was formulated together with linuron as active ingredient in a common formulation according to four ratios. The formulation was applied by spraying with water in the form of a wettable powder composition (as described in Example 15).

These tests were carried out on parcels of 20 m² with 4-fold repetitions by using Pioner-3950 maize cultivated on an adobe soil of Mezoseg containing 1.46% of organic substances.

The results of the measurements, i.e. the number of plants/parcel, the height of the plants, the length of the maize-ear covered by grains, the amount of grain-crop/parcel and the water content of the harvested crop are summarized in Table X.

                                      TABLE X                                      __________________________________________________________________________                            Maize-ear                                                         Linuron      covered                                                     compound                                                                             Dose No. of                                                                             Plant                                                                              with                                                    Nitrile                                                                            Dose  kg/hec-                                                                             plants                                                                             height                                                                             grains                                                                               Crop amount                                                                           Water content                              No. kg/hectare                                                                           tare pc. cm  cm    kg     %                                          __________________________________________________________________________     1   0.5   4    150 186.7                                                                              17.3  6.95   29.4                                       1   0.5   2    148 194.5                                                                              16.3  6.66   30.2                                       1   0.25  4    147 178.2                                                                              16.4  6.37   30.4                                       1   0.25  2    147 186.2                                                                              15.0  5.49   28.2                                       --  --    4    140 172.5                                                                              15.1  4.45   31.7                                       --  --    2    142 178.4                                                                              15.6  4.80   31.0                                       untreated control                                                                             151 196.1                                                                              15.8  5.98   28.3                                       __________________________________________________________________________

Simultaneously, the occurrance of seven weeds in these parcels was investigated and the extent of the weed control was characterized by EWRC scoring in Table XI.

The weeds investigated were as follows:

1: Echinochloa crusgalli;

2: Amaranthus chlorostachis;

3: Chenopodium album;

4: Polygonum lopathiofolium;

5: Equisetum arvense;

6: Chenopodium hybridum;

7: Setaria glauca

                  TABLE XI                                                         ______________________________________                                         Nitrile                                                                        compound Linuron                                                               Dose     Dose     Time of  Herbicide effect in                                 kg/      kg/hec-  evalua-  EWRC score                                          No.  hectare tare     tion   1   2   3   4   5   6   7                         ______________________________________                                         1    0.5     4        01.06. 1   1   1   1   1   1   1                                               04.07. 1   1   1   3   3   1   1                                               06.08. 2   1   1   6   7   1   1                         1    0.5     2        01.06. 1   1   1   1   1   1   1                                               04.07. 1   1   1   4   3   1   1                                               06.08. 2   1   1   6   7   1   1                         1    0.25    4        01.06. 1   1   1   1   1   1   1                                               04.07. 1   1   1   3   4   1   1                                               06.08. 2   1   1   6   7   1   1                         1    0.25    2        01.06. 1   1   1   1   1   1   1                                               04.07. 1   1   1   3   3   1   1                                               06.08. 2   1   1   6   7   1   1                         --   --      4        01.06. 1   1   1   1   1   1   1                                               04.07. 1   1   1   2   3   1   1                                               06.08. 1   1   1   5   5   1   1                         --   --      2        01.06. 1   1   1   1   1   1   1                                               04.07. 1   1   1   3   3   1   1                                               06.08. 2   1   1   6   7   1   1                         untreated control                                                                            01.06.   9     8   7   8   8   7   8                                           04.07.   9     9   8   9   9   8   9                             untreated control                                                                            06.08.   9     9   9   9   9   8   9                             ______________________________________                                    

It is evident from Table XI, that the herbicide effect of linuron was not decreased, whereas the phytotoxicity exerted or the maize was eliminated by using the antidote of the invention.

EXAMPLE 44

Similarly to the preceding Example, the diminishing effect of the nitrile derivatives of the invention on the phytotoxicity of the commonly known thiolcarbamate (EPTC) herbicide as well as the development of the herbicide action were investigated in small-parcel field experiments.

The tests were carried out in parcels of 20 m² by cultivating NK-PI-20 maize in 4-fold repetitions.

For the treatments, EPTC and two nitrile derivatives (compounds Nos. 1 and 11) were applied by spraying with water before sowing in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate as described in Example 13 and 14 and worked into the soil. The results of these experiments are summarized in Table XII.

                                      TABLE XII                                    __________________________________________________________________________                             Maize-ear                                              Nitrile antidote                                                                         EPTC  No. of                                                                             Plant                                                                              covered      Water                                          Dose kg/                                                                            Dose  plants                                                                             height                                                                             with grains                                                                          Crop amount                                                                           content                                   No.  hectare                                                                             kg/hectare                                                                           pc  cm  cm    kg     %                                         __________________________________________________________________________     1    1.25 8     167 192.1                                                                              21.8  8.27   24.8                                      1    0.25 8     158 185.3                                                                              22.8  6.15   30.4                                      11   1.25 8     163 187.2                                                                              21.6  5.85   25.8                                      11   0.25 8     157 182.6                                                                              20.5  7.60   31.7                                      --   --   8     145 171.6                                                                              19.9  5.12   33.6                                      R-25788                                                                             1.25 8     160 186.1                                                                              21.4  5.71   33.6                                      untreated control                                                                              165 188.7                                                                              20.4  6.63   29.2                                      __________________________________________________________________________      Likewise, the herbicide effect was also studied in the parcels by using        the EWRC scores. The results are summarized in Table XIII.               

                                      TABLE XIII                                   __________________________________________________________________________     Nitrile antidote                                                                          EPTC                                                                Dose       Dose  Time of                                                                              Herbicide effect in EWRC score                          No.  kg/hectare                                                                           kg/hectare                                                                           evaluation                                                                           1 2 3  4 5 6  7                                         __________________________________________________________________________     1    1.25  8     11.06 1 1 1  2 3 1  1                                                          13.07.                                                                               1 1 1  5 6 1  1                                                          12.08.                                                                               1 1 1  7 8 1  1                                         1    0.25  8     11.06.                                                                               1 1 1  2 2 1  1                                                          13.07.                                                                               1 1 1  6 6 1  1                                                          12.08.                                                                               1 1 1  7 8 1  1                                         11   1.25  8     11.06 1 1 1  2 2 1  1                                                          13.07.                                                                               1 1 1  5 5 1  1                                                          12.08.                                                                               1 1 1  7 8 1  1                                         11   0.25  8     11.06.                                                                               1 1 1  2 2 1  1                                                          13.07.                                                                               1 1 1  6 5 1  1                                                          12.08.                                                                               1 1 1  7 8 1  1                                         --   --    8     11.06.                                                                               1 1 1  2 3 1  1                                                          13.07.                                                                               1 1 1  4 6 1  1                                                          12.08.                                                                               1 1 1  5 8 1  1                                         R-25788                                                                             1.25  8     11.06.                                                                               1 1 1  2 2 1  1                                                          13.07.                                                                               1 1 1  4 5 1  1                                                          12.08.                                                                               1 1 1  6 8 1  1                                         untreated control                                                                               11.06.                                                                               8 7 7  8 8 6  7                                                          13.07.                                                                               9 8 8  9 9 7  8                                                          12.08.                                                                               9 8 9  9 9 7  8                                         __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 45 Study of the antidote effect in the case of a chlortoluron herbicide in small-parcel experiment

The antidote effect of the compounds according to the invention was studied in a small-parcel field experiment on a wheat of Rana 2 species.

These experiments were carried out in parcels of 20 m² on a loose sandy soil with 4-fold repetitions.

The treatments were performed by spraying out an appropriate amount of the antidote and herbicide in the form of a tank mixture in the middle of March.

The evaluation was made by using an EWRC score, twice during the cultivating period. Both the damages caused by the herbicide as well as the herbicide effect were determined. The results are summarized in Table XIV.

                  TABLE XIV                                                        ______________________________________                                                       Chlor-                                                                         toluron 80                                                       Nitrile compound                                                                             WP        EWRC score                                                    Dose kg/                                                                              Dose kg/  Wheat   Apera spica venti                              No.      hectare  hectare   1   2   1     2                                    ______________________________________                                         --       --       2.0       1   1   1     1                                    --       --       4.0       4   3   1     1                                    --       --       6.0       6   5   1     1                                    1        0.2      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    1        0.4      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    1        0.4      4.0       1   1   1     1                                    1        0.8      4.0       1   1   1     1                                    1        0.6      6.0       2   1   1     1                                    1        1.2      6.0       1   1   1     1                                    11       0.2      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    11       0.4      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    11       0.4      4.0       1   1   1     1                                    11       0.8      4.0       1   1   1     1                                    11       0.6      6.0       2   1   1     1                                    11       1.2      6.0       2   1   1     1                                    23       0.2      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    23       0.4      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    23       0.4      4.0       1   1   1     1                                    23       0.8      4.0       1   1   2     2                                    23       0.6      6.0       1   1   1     1                                    23       1.2      6.0       1   1   2     3                                    23       0.2      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    25       0.4      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    25       0.4      4.0       2   2   1     1                                    25       0.8      4.0       2   1   1     1                                    25       0.6      6.0       3   2   1     1                                    25       1.2      6.0       3   1   1     1                                    30       0.2      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    30       0.4      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    30       0.4      4.0       2   1   1     1                                    30       0.8      4.0       2   2   1     1                                    30       0.6      6.0       3   2   1     1                                    30       1.2      6.0       3   2   1     1                                    41       0.2      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    41       0.4      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    41       0.4      4.0       3   2   1     1                                    41       0.8      4.0       2   1   1     1                                    41       0.6      6.0       3   2   1     1                                    41       1.2      6.0       2   1   1     1                                    CGA.43.089                                                                              0.2      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    CGA 43.089                                                                              0.4      2.0       1   1   1     1                                    CGA 43.089                                                                              0.4      4.0       3   2   1     1                                    CGA 43.089                                                                              0.8      4.0       3   2   1     1                                    CGA 43.089                                                                              0.6      6.0       5   4   1     1                                    CGA 43.089                                                                              1.2      6.0       4   3   1     1                                    ______________________________________                                    

It is evident from the data of Table XIV that, in comparison to cyanomethoxy-iminophenylacetonitrile (code number: 43.089), a known antidote, the antidote nitrile derivatives of the invention were more effective in the decrease or elimination, respectively of the harmful effect of the chlortoluron herbicide.

EXAMPLE 46 Study of the antidote effect in the case of a metobromuron herbicide in small-parcel experiment

The antidote effect of the compounds according to the invention was studied in a small-parcel field experiment on a potato of Desiree species.

These experiments were carried out in parcels of 20 m² on a loose sandy soil with 4-fold repetitions.

The treatments were postemergently carried out after hilling. The evaluation was performed by using an EWRC score, twice during the cultivating period. Both the damages caused by the herbicide as well as the herbicide effect were determined. The results are summarized in Table XV.

                  TABLE XV                                                         ______________________________________                                                      Meto-                                                                          bromuron                                                          Nitrile compound                                                                            50 WP                                                                    Dose  Dose      EWRC score                                                     kg/   kg/       Potato  Echinocloa                                                                             Setaria                                 No.      hectare hectare   1   2   1    2    1   2                             ______________________________________                                         --       --      3.0       1   1   2    3    2   2                             --       --      6.0       4   2   1    1    1   1                             --       --      9.0       6   2   1    1    1   1                             5        0.15    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   2                             5        0.30    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   2                             5        0.30    6.0       2   2   1    1    1   1                             5        0.60    6.0       1   1   1    1    1   1                             5        0.45    9.0       2   2   1    1    1   1                             5        0.90    9.0       1   1   1    1    1   1                             20       0.15    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   2                             20       0.30    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   3                             20       0.30    6.0       3   2   1    1    1   1                             20       0.60    6.0       2   1   1    1    1   1                             20       0.45    9.0       3   2   1    1    1   1                             20       0.90    9.0       2   1   1    1    1   1                             28       0.15    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   2                             28       0.30    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   3                             28       0.30    6.0       2   2   1    1    1   1                             28       0.60    6.0       2   1   1    1    1   1                             28       0.45    9.0       3   2   1    1    1   1                             28       0.90    9.0       2   1   1    1    1   1                             CGA 43.089                                                                              0.15    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   2                             CGA 43.089                                                                              0.30    3.0       1   1   2    3    2   2                             CGA 43.089                                                                              0.30    6.0       3   2   1    1    1   1                             CGA 43.089                                                                              0.60    6.0       3   2   1    1    1   1                             CGA 43.089                                                                              0.45    9.0       5   2   1    1    1   1                             CGA 43.089                                                                              0.90    9.0       4   2   1    1    1   1                             ______________________________________                                    

It is evident from the data of Table XV that, in comparison to cyanomethoxy-iminophenylacetonitrile (code number: 43.089:, a known antidote, the antidote nitrile derivatives of the invention were more effective in the decrease or elimination, respectively of the harmful effect of the metobromuron herbicide.

EXAMPLE 47 Study of the antidote effect in the case of a chlorbormuron herbicide in small-parcel experiment

This field experiment was carried out or sun-flower of NSA-26 species in parcels of 20 m² with 4-fold repetitions on a mildly humified soil containing 1% of organic materials.

The treatments were performed preemergently by applying the antidote and herbicide in the form of a tank mixture. In the experimental area no weediness was developed thus, the phytotoxic effect caused by the herbicide was only evaluated. The results are summarized in Table XVI.

                  TABLE XVI                                                        ______________________________________                                         Nitrile compound                                                                               Chlorbromuron                                                          Dose    50 WP                                                                  kg/hec- Dose         EWRC score                                        No.       tare      kg/hectare   1     2                                       ______________________________________                                                             2.5          2     1                                                           7.5          6     5                                       33        0.1       2.5          2     1                                       33        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       33        0.3       7.5          4     2                                       33        0.9       7.5          3     2                                       35        0.1       2.5          2     1                                       35        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       35        0.3       7.5          3     3                                       35        0.9       7.5          3     2                                       40        0.1       2.5          2     1                                       40        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       40        0.3       7.5          3     3                                       40        0.9       7.5          3     3                                       42        0.1       2.5          1     1                                       42        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       42        0.3       7.5          2     1                                       42        0.9       7.5          1     1                                       44        0.1       2.5          2     1                                       44        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       44        0.3       7.5          3     1                                       44        0.9       7.5          2     1                                       48        0.1       2.5          1     1                                       48        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       48        0.3       7.5          3     1                                       48        0.9       7.5          2     1                                       49        0.1       2.5          1     1                                       49        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       49        0.3       7.5          2     1                                       49        0.9       7.5          1     1                                       51        0.1       2.5          2     1                                       51        0.3       2.5          1     1                                       51        0.3       7.5          2     2                                       51        0.9       7.5          2     2                                       GCA 43.089                                                                               0.1       2.5          2     1                                       CGA 43.089                                                                               0.3       2.5          2     1                                       CGA 43.089                                                                               0.3       7.5          4     3                                       CGA 43.089                                                                               0.9       7.5          4     3                                       ______________________________________                                    

The results of Table XVI also support that, in comparison to cyanomethoxy-iminophenylacetonitrile (code number: 43.089) a known antidote, the antidote according to the invention showed a better protective action. 

We claim:
 1. An herbicide composition containing a nitrile derivative as antidote which comprises as herbicidally active ingredient an urea derivative of the formula (II) ##STR6## wherein R₄ and R₅ which are the same or different, stand for a methyl or methoxy group; andR₆ and R₇ which are the same or different, represent hydrogen, halogen, a C₁₋₃ alkyl or a methoxy group, together with a nitrile derivative of the formula (I), ##STR7## wherein R₁ and R₂ which are the same or different, stand for hydrogen or a methyl, ethyl, allyl, phenyl or benzyl group; R₁ and R₂ together may stand for a benzylidene group; and R₃ means a methyl, phenyl, chlorophenyl, or lower alkoxyphenyl group in a mass ratio from 40:1 to 1:2 of the herbicidally active ingredient to the antidote nitrile derivative, together with an agriculturally acceptable inert carrier.
 2. An herbicidal composition as defined in claim 1 wherein the mass ratio is from 40:1 to 1:1 of the herbicidally active ingredient to the antidote nitrile derivative.
 3. A herbicide composition as claimed in claim 1 which comprises as herbicidally active ingredient an urea derivative of the formula (II), whereinR₄ and R₅ which are the same or different, stand for a methyl or methoxy group; and R₆ and R₇ which are the same or different, represent hydrogen, halogen, a methyl or a methoxy group together with a nitrile derivative as antidote.
 4. The herbicidal composition defined in claim 1 which comprises as herbicidally active ingredient a compound of the Formula (II) and a compound of the Formula (I) as the herbicidal antidote in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:2.
 5. The herbicidal composition defined in claim 4 which comprises as the compound of the Formula (II) in Linuron and the compound of the Formula (I) is 2-allyl-2-phenyl-4-pentene-nitrile in a weight ratio of 5:1 to 1:2. 